Football pitch dimensions and sizes – a complete guide

Football pitch sizes can vary dramatically, especially across different age groups and game types.

This guide, covering 5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 team sizes, will break down the key dimensions recommended by The FA's guidance for regulation football pitches across all age groups – helping grounds staff at schools and clubs of all levels mark out perfect pitches every time.

A guide to small-sided pitch sizes

5-a-side football pitch dimensions and markings

Based on The FA's guidance, 5v5 football pitches should measure 40 yards (36.6m) in length by 30 yards (27.4m) wide, maintaining the traditional rectangular shape of a full-sized pitch.

A major element which makes 5v5 unique is the pitch markings, particularly the curved penalty area, which is not used in other forms of the game. The edge of the penalty area must be 6.5 yards (6m) from the centre of the goal. This is where the penalty spot is located.

A halfway line should be drawn across the width of the pitch. Centre circles are optional for 5v5 pitches, but if included, it should have a radius of 3 yards (2.75m).

5-a-side dimensions summary

7-a-side football pitch dimensions and markings

7v7 pitches are typically for players aged 9–10years old. Due to the increased number of players, the pitch is larger than 5v5 and more closely resembles a full-sized pitch. A regulation 7v7 pitch should measure 60 yards (54.9m) by 40 yards (36.6m).

This level is the first to include rectangular penalty areas. These should measure 18 yards (16.5m) x 10 yards (9.1m). Penalty spots should be positioned 8 yards (7.3m) from the centre of the goals. The "D" at the edge of the penalty box is optional at this level, as is a centre circle. If it is included, the centre circle should have a radius of 6 yards (5.5m).

7-a-side dimensions summary

9-a-side football pitch dimensions and markings

The recommended pitch size for U11 and U12 Youth teams is 9v9, which should measure 80 yards (73.2m) by 50 yards (45.7m). In terms of line markings, 9v9 is the same as 11v11 – just smaller. Corner segments and the goal area, colloquially known as the '6-yard box', begin being included at this pitch size. In this format, the penalty spot should be marked 9 yards (8.2m) from the centre of each goal. Corner quadrants should have a diameter of 1yd (0.9m) and the new goal area (measuring 14 yards (12.80m) x 4 yards (3.65m)) should be positioned inside the penalty area (13 yards (11.88m) by 32 yards (29.26m)).

9-a-side dimensions summary

A guide to professional/11v11 football pitch sizes

11-a-side football pitch dimensions and markings

From U13 Youth up to the professional level, The FA recommends 11v11 football. However, because of this wide range of age groups, determining the dimensions of an 11v11 pitch can be difficult as the length and width of the pitch can vary greatly.

As shown in the table below, the recommended size of an 11v11 field can range from 90-110 yards (82.3m-100.6m) in length and 55-70 yards (50.3m-64.0m) wide.

Despite the flexibility in length and width options, there are some dimensions that remain constant on all 11v11 pitches:

• Penalty spot (from the goal line): 12 yards (11m)
• Goal area length: 6 yards (5.5m)
• Penalty area length: 18 yards (16.5m)
• Centre circle radius: 10 yards (9.15m)
• Corner quadrants: 1 yard (0.9m)

Professional-level dimensions

At club and international levels, professional teams have increased flexibility to adjust the size of their pitch. Both The FA and FIFA's regulations state that pitch dimensions can vary as long as they fall between:

• 100-130 yards (90-120m) long
• 50-100 yards (45-90m) wide

As well as accommodating teams with smaller stadiums, this flexibility opens up tactical options. Teams may opt for a wider or narrower pitch to suit their style of play, granting them an advantage when playing at home.

During the 2008/09 Premier League season, Stoke City reduced the size of their pitch to 100 metres by 64 in order to increase the effectiveness of their direct style of play. They would win 10 of their 19 home games during that season.

What size is a Premier League football pitch?

According to the 2022/23 Premier League handbook, a standard Premier League pitch should measure 115 yds (105 m) x 74 yds (68 m).

In the 2022/23 season, 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs used the same dimensions: 115 yards (105 m) by 74 yards (68 m). The exceptions were teams with older or smaller stadiums, such as Chelsea, Fulham and Everton.

How big is the pitch at Wembley?

In the table below, we've pitch dimensions of some of the most famous stadiums in world football. First up on our list is Wembley Stadium, the home of England's national team.

Check out our groundskeeping blog content for more tips and insights into creating the perfect pitch:

• A history of the football goalpost
• Challenges of a sloping football pitch
• Grassroots: a guide to grasses and the pitches they make
• Pitches of the future

Download our complete guide to football pitch dimension as a .pdf.

Harrod Sport are a leading manufacturer of football nets and goals posts in the UK, providing equipment for major stadiums and global sporting events. Harrod Sport also developed the 4G Stadium goal – the world's first FIFA Quality certified goal.

View our full range of professional football goals, goals for schools, nets and training equipment.

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